Transparent roof structure in vehicle

ABSTRACT

A transparent roof structure in a vehicle which includes a roof glass ( 100 ) which includes a reinforced net layer and a net glass layer ( 110 ) which is formed of a first glass layer ( 114 ) and a second glass layer ( 116 ) formed in an upper and lower surface of the reinforced net layer ( 112 ), respectively, a pillar glass ( 200 ) which is formed of the net glass layer ( 110 ) and is extended from a front end corner of the roof glass ( 100 ) in a slanted downward direction, a wind shield ( 300 ) which is formed of a transparent glass and is extended from a front end of the roof glass ( 100 ) and an inner end of the pillar glass ( 200 ), a supporter ( 500 ) which includes a holder portion ( 510 ) having a glass engaging groove ( 512 ) to which a lower portion of the windshield ( 300 ) is engaged and an engaging portion ( 520 ) which is extended from the holder portion ( 510 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a structure of a vehicle, and inparticular to a structure of a vehicle which does not include a front orrear pillar.

2. Description of the Background Art

Generally, a vehicle is formed of a chassis and a body. The chassis is ageneral term of the parts except for a body of a vehicle and includes aframe, engine, driving force transfer apparatus, suspension apparatus,steering apparatus and brake apparatus. The body is a basic frame of avehicle. In almost vehicle types such as a sedan, coupe, etc., amonocoque type body in which a roof frame, pillar, main frame, etc. areintegrally formed, is adapted.

As shown In FIG. 10, the roof pillar is supported by three pairs of thepillars such as a pillar A, pillar B and pillar C. A wind shield isinstalled between the pillars A, and a rear window is installed betweenthe pillars C.

Here, since the pillars A and C are formed at the both sides of adriver's seat and at the both sides of the passenger's seat, as shown inFIG. 11, a blind area is formed. Therefore, when a driver turns avehicle in a certain direction or parks the vehicle, it is impossible tohave a wide visual field due to the blind area, so that a vehicleaccident may occur for thereby increasing a vehicle accident ratio.

In addition, recently there is a trend for increasing a sportyappearance of a vehicle and decreasing an air resistance. A design fordecreasing the width and angle of the pillar A is adapted. In this case,it is impossible to increase a comfort seating feel in a driver's andpassenger's seat. Therefore, when a vehicle collision accident occurs ora vehicle overturn accident occurs, it is impossible to satisfy acircular protection system in a driver's and passenger's seat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a first object of the present invention to provide atransparent roof structure in a vehicle which overcomes the problemsencountered in the conventional art.

It is a second object of the present invention to provide a transparentroof structure in a vehicle which is capable of increasing a drivingsafety by obtaining a wider visual field in a forward and backwarddirection of a vehicle.

It is a third object of the present invention to provide a transparentroof structure in a vehicle which is capable of satisfying a comfortseating feel and circular protection system in a vehicle by increasing asupporting force of a roof.

It is a fourth object of the present invention to provide a transparentroof structure in a vehicle which is capable of simplifying a processfor fabricating a body of a vehicle, enhancing a productivity andimplementing an easier maintenance of a roof structure divided into aring frame.

It is a fifth object of the present invention to provide a transparentroof structure in a vehicle which has good features in durability,heat-resistance, insulation and soundproof.

It is a sixth object of the present invention to provide a transparentroof structure in a vehicle which is capable of implementing a goodriding environment by obtaining a natural inner lighting using a naturallight.

In order to achieve the above objects, there is provided a transparentroof structure in a vehicle which includes a roof glass which includes areinforced net layer and a net glass layer which is formed of a firstglass layer and a second glass layer formed in an upper and lowersurface of the reinforced net layer, respectively, a pillar glass whichis formed of the net glass layer and is extended from a front end comerof the roof glass in a slanted downward direction, a wind shield whichis formed of a transparent glass and is extended from a front end of theroof glass and an inner end of the pillar glass, a supporter whichincludes a holder portion having a glass engaging groove to which alower portion of the wind shield is engaged, an engaging portion whichis extended from the holder portion, and a plurality of supporterengaging holes formed in a width direction of the engaging portion, anda ring frame which is installed in each side of the roof glass, thepillar glass, the wind shield and the rear window, respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become better understood with reference tothe accompanying drawings which are given only by way of illustrationand thus are not limitative of the present invention, wherein;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a transparent roof structurein a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a vehicle having a transparent roofstructure according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating a front engagedstate of a transparent roof structure according to a first embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a transparent roofstructure according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the construction of an engaged state of aroof glass and a pillar B according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view illustrating a vehicle having atransparent roof structure according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view illustrating a vehicle having atransparent roof structure according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a transparent roofstructure is implemented based on an application example of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a vehicle having a transparentroof structure according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating a structure of a conventionalvehicle; and

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a driver's blind area which is formed bya pillar A and a pillar C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explainedwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a transparent roof structurein a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a vehicle having a transparent roofstructure according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG.3 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating a front engaged stateof a transparent roof structure according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating atransparent roof structure according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention.

As shown therein, a transparent roof structure of a vehicle according toa first embodiment of the present invention includes a roof glass 100, apillar glass 200, a wind shield 300, a rear window 400, a supporter 500and a ring frame 600.

The roof glass 100 is formed in a transparent structure which operatesas a roof of a vehicle. The roof glass 100 includes a reinforced netlayer 112, and a net glass 110 layer formed of a first glass layer 114and a second glass layer 116 which are formed on the upper and lowersurfaces of the reinforced net layer 112. The reinforced net layer 112is formed in such a manner that a metallic wire or reinforced fiber wireare crossed at a certain interval like a net, so that the reinforced netlayer 112 does not interfere with a driver's visual field and supportsthe frame of the roof glass 100. In addition, a plurality of engagingholes 102 are formed in the center portion of both side ends of the roofglass 100. An engaged element passes through the engaging holes 102 whenengaging with the pillar B.

The first glass layer 114 and the second glass layer 116 are formed ofone selected from the group comprising a poly glass, polycarbonate,reinforced plastic, and tempered glass. Preferably, the first glasslayer 114 and the second glass layer 116 are formed of a poly glass. Thepoly glass has 150 times strength compared to the tempered glass and has40 times strength compared to the acryl and has an excellent mechanical,tension and bending strength and a high heat-resistance and lighttransmission ratio and is proper for fabricating a curved surface and aroof glass according to the present invention. The roof glass 100 iscapable of adding multiple function layers in addition to the net glasslayer 112. The layer structure of the roof glass 100 will be describedin detail later with reference to FIG. 8.

The pillar glass 200 is formed of a transparent member which is capableof supporting a vertical direction weight of the roof glass 100. Thepillar glass 200 is formed of a net glass layer in which a reinforcednet layer is formed between the glass layers like the roof glass 100 andis downwardly extended from each corner of the roof glass 100. Thepillar glass 200 includes a reinforced net layer for implementing aninternal strength and does not interfere with a driver's visual fieldbased on a structure in which a wire is crossed at a certain intervallike the roof glass 100.

The wind shield 300 is a transparent glass which is installed in a frontsurface of a vehicle and is extended from a front end of the roof glass100 and an inner end of the pillar glass 200. The wind shield 300 doesnot include a reinforced net layer for obtaining a driver's visual fielddifferently from the roof glass 100 and the pillar glass 200. Namely,the wind shield is formed of only a transparent glass. The wind shield300 is preferably formed of a poly glass. The wind glass 300 supports aweight of a front side of the roof glass 100.

The rear window 400 is formed of a transparent glass which is installedin a rear side of a vehicle and is extended from a rear end of the roofglass and an inner end of the pillar glass. The rear window 400 does notinclude a reinforced net layer for obtaining a driver's visual field ina backward direction differently from the roof glass 100 and the pillarglass 200. Namely, the rear window 400 is formed of only a transparentglass. The rear window 400 is preferably formed of a poly glass. Therear window 400 supports a weight of a rear side of the roof glass 100.

The supporter 500 is formed of an engaging support member of the ringframe 600 for engaging a transparent roof structure to a body of avehicle as an engaging member connected with the ring frame 600. Thesupporter 500 includes a holder portion 510 having a glass engaginggroove 512 to which the lower portions of the window shield 300 and therear window 400 are engaged, an engaging portion 520 which is extendedfrom the holder portion 510, and a plurality of supporter engaging holes530 which are formed in a width direction of the engaging portion 520.The supporter 500 is engaged to a lower frame 700 formed in a body of avehicle by an engaging element 550 engaged to the supporter engaginghole 530 of the engaging portion 520.

The supporter 500 is preferably formed of a metallic material. A packing540 may be inserted into the glass engaging groove 512 for implementinga sealed state when engaging with the wind shield 300 or the rear window400. The supporter 500 is engaged with the lower frame 700 formed in abody of a vehicle by engaging element 550 engaged to the supporterengaging hole 530 of the engaging portion 520. The lower frame 700includes a lower bent portion 710 which is formed in an upper portion ina step shape, and a plurality of engaging holes 720 formed in a widthdirection of the lower bent portion 710. An engaging member 550 forfixing the supporter 500 to the lower frame 700 may be a screw and bolt.In another embodiment of the present invention, a rivet or weldingmethod may be used.

The ring frame 600 is a reinforcing member which is installed in eachside end of the roof glass 100 and the pillar glass 200 and each lowerportion of the wind shield 300 and the rear window 400 for therebyreinforcing an external structure of a transparent glass which is atransparent roof structure according to the present invention. The ringframe 600 maintains a basic structure of the roof glass 100 and thepillar glass 200 and protects a lateral end of the same and prevents theroof glass 100 or the pillar glass 200 from being directly contactedwith a neighboring frame such as a door frame. The ring frame 600surrounds the outer portions of the lateral ends of the roof glass 100and the pillar glass 200 and the outer portions of the lower ends of thewind shield 300 and the rear window 400 for thereby supporting an outerportion of a transparent roof structure in a channel shape. The ringframe 600 is preferably formed of a metallic material for maintaining abasic structure of the transparent roof glass and protecting a sideportion from being damaged due to an external impact. A rubber packing540 may be inserted into the inner side of the ring frame 600 forimplementing a sealed state between the metallic ring and glass andincreasing a buffering effect. A rubber packing or molding may beadditionally provided in both outer sides of the lateral surfaces of thering frame 600 which surrounds the wind shield 300, the pillar glass 200and the roof glass 100 for thereby preventing a direct contact with theneighboring frame such as a door frame and implementing a sealed state.

The lower frame 700 includes a lower bent portion 710 which is formed inan upper portion in a step shape, and a plurality of engaging holes 720formed in a width direction of the lower bent portion 710.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the engaged state between the roof glassand the pillar B according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown therein, the roof glass 100 according to a firstembodiment of the present invention is supported in a vertical directionby the pillar glass formed in each corner as well as the pillar B170(center pillar). A channel shaped molding 180 is installed in thecenter portion of the lateral ends of the roof glass 100. A certainengaging element such as a bolt 190 and nut 192 may be used for engagingthe molding 180, the roof glass 100 and the pillar. B 170. In anotherembodiment of the present invention, the above elements may be engagedbased on a welding method.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view illustrating a vehicle having atransparent roof structure according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention, and FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view illustrating avehicle having a transparent roof structure according to a firstembodiment of the present invention.

As shown therein, in the vehicle having a transparent roof structureaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention, the windshield, rear window as well as the roof and pillar portions are formedof a transparent member. Therefore, there is not a blind region which isformed due to a conventional non-transparent pillar and roof, inforward, backward, lateral and upward directions of the vehicle forthereby implementing a wider visual field in the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a transparent roofstructure according to an application example of the present invention.As shown therein, the transparent roof structure according to thepresent invention includes a first glass layer 114, a second glass layer116, and a net glass layer 110 formed of a reinforced net layer 112formed between the first glass layer 114 and the second glass layer 116.

The reinforced net layer 112 performs a structure reinforcing role formaintaining a basic object of the transparent rood structure accordingto the present invention and is formed of a metallic wire or reinforcedfiber wire which is not transformed by an external impact and is capableof receiving an external impact.

An air layer 120 and a third glass layer 130 are formed on the uppersurface of the first glass layer 114. The air layer 120 enhances ariding comfort feel and performs a bulletproof layer operation based ona buffering effect when an external impact is applied thereto.

A photosensitive glass layer 140 may be additionally formed on the uppersurface of the third glass layer 130, and an infrared ray reflectionglass layer 150 may be additionally formed on the upper surface of thephotosensitive glass layer 140. The photosensitive glass layer 140 is alayer the color of which is changed based on the intensity of light bycoating an oxide on the glass. Namely, when a ultraviolet ray isinputted, the layer is changed into a violet color and is darkened. Whenthe ultraviolet ray is not inputted, the color of the layer is changedto the original transparent state. The infrared ray reflection glasslayer 150 enhance a warming and cooling efficiency based on theinterference of the infrared ray by reflecting light of the sun. Theinfrared ray reflection glass layer 150 is directed to using aninterfering phenomenon of a thin film attached on the surface of theglass and the reflection ration characteristic of the metal which formsthe thin film. The infrared ray reflection glass layer 150 may be formedby sputtering a solution which contains a metallic oxide, titanium, tin,etc. on the surface of the glass.

A liquid crystal glass layer 160 may be additionally formed on the lowersurface of the second glass layer 116. The liquid crystal glass layer160 becomes a transparent or non-transparent state based on whether thepower is supplied or not and is formed of a glass layer in which liquidcrystal molecular are sealed therein. The liquid crystal glass layer 160is formed by attaching a liquid crystal film to a film having atransparent conductive film and bonding a plate glass to the outerlayer. The liquid crystal film prevents scattering of glass.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a vehicle having a transparentroof structure according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown therein, the transparent roof structure according tothe present invention may be adapted to a vehicle as well as a bus.

In the case of the bus, the transparent roof structure is formed of aroof glass, a wind shield and a front pillar glass without a rearwindow. In addition, the roof glass supports a vertical direction weightby the intermediate pillars.

In an application example of the present invention, only the wind shieldand the front pillar may be formed of an integral transparent member.Namely, the windshield and front pillar are formed of the poly glass,and the lower and upper portions of the windshield and both lateral endsof the pillar are surrounded by the ring frame, and the upper and lowersupporters of the ring frame are engaged with the frame, so that theintegral transparent member supports the front portions of the roof andperforms the operation of the windshield without a rectangular support.

As described above, in the transparent roof structure of a vehicleaccording to the present invention, since it is possible to obtain awider visual field of a driver in the forward, backward and upwarddirections, it is possible to prevent a traffic accident due to a blindarea when driving a vehicle.

In the transparent roof structure according to the present invention, itis possible to satisfy a good riding comfort feel and a circularprotection system by distributing a deviated weight support structureand reinforcing a supporting force of a roof.

In the transparent roof structure of the present invention according tothe present invention, a vehicle body fabrication process is simplified,and a fabrication process is decreased. Therefore, the fabrication costof the vehicle is decreased.

In the transparent roof structure of a vehicle according to the presentinvention, it is possible to decrease the weight of the vehicle forthereby decreasing the consumption of energy and enhancing an economiceffect.

In the transparent roof structure of a vehicle according to the presentinvention, an internal lighting is possible based on a natural light forthereby implementing a good riding comfort feel.

As the present invention may be embodied in several forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, itshould also be understood that the above-described embodiments are notlimited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unlessotherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within itsspirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore allchanges and modifications that fall within the meets and bounds of theclaims, or equivalences of such meets and bounds are therefore intendedto be embraced by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. In a vehicle, a transparent roof structure,comprising: a roof glass which includes a reinforced net layer and a netglass layer which is formed of a first glass layer and a second glasslayer formed in an upper and lower surface of the reinforced net layer,respectively; a pillar glass which is formed of the net glass layer andis extended from a front end corner of the roof glass in a slanteddownward direction; a wind shield which is formed of a transparent glassand is extended from a front end of the roof glass and an inner end ofthe pillar glass; a supporter which includes a holder portion having aglass engaging groove to which a lower portion of the wind shield isengaged, an engaging portion which is extended from the holder portion,and a plurality of supporter engaging holes formed in a width directionof the engaging portion; and a ring frame which is installed in eachside of the roof glass, the pillar glass, the wind shield and the rearwindow, respectively.
 2. The structure of claim 1, wherein said firstglass layer, second glass layer and wind shield are formed of oneselected from the group comprising a poly glass, reinforced plastic, andtempered glass.
 3. The structure of claim 1, wherein an air layer and athird glass layer are formed on an upper surface of the first glasslayer of the roof glass.
 4. The structure of claim 3, wherein aphotosensitive glass layer is formed on an upper surface of the thirdglass layer, and an infrared ray reflection glass layer is formed on anupper surface of the photosensitive glass layer.
 5. The structure ofclaim 1, wherein a liquid crystal glass layer which is changed into atransparent state or a non-transparent state based on whether a power issupplied or not is formed on a lower surface of the second glass layer.